Doctrine of Specialty Definition: A typical requirement in extradition: that the receiving state not prosecute the individual being extradicted but for the offence for which extradition was sought. Related Terms: Dual Criminality, Extradition, Extradition Crime In US v Lepine, Justice La Forest of Canada's Suypreme Court used these words;"(The) doctrine of specialty ... prohibits the requesting state from prosecuting for crimes other than that for which the extradition took place."In US v Saccoccia, Justice Cynthia Hall wrote, at footnote #6:"The doctrine of specialty prevents the requesting nation from prosecuting the extradited person for any offenses other than those upon which the surrendering country agreed to extradite."REFERENCES:USA v Lepine, [1994] 1 S.C.R. 286US v Saccoccia, 18 F. 3d 795 (1994) Categories & Topics: Criminal Law Dictionary International Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!